Annual spring festival celebrates history

Friday

When you see bustling activity going on at a historical Thibodaux landmark April 27, don’t be alarmed.

It’s just the Laurel Valley Spring Festival, which was established 24 years ago to help preserve the largest surviving American sugar-cane plantation complex.

Taking place at Laurel Valley Village Museum and Country Store two miles south of Thibodaux on La. 308, the festival will feature arts and crafts, a Cajun lunch, drinks and homemade sweets. On the grounds outside the store, there will be antique tractors, cars, machinery and Civil War cannoneers.

“We will have a lot of activities going on in our booths,” said Paul Leslie, event director and Nicholls State University American History professor. “I’m thinking we will have about 30 booths signed up for the event.”

Laurel Valley Plantation operated until 1926 and still features 60 buildings that include a restored school, store and several 19th century dwellings.

It has served as a popular backdrop for numerous Hollywood films such as “Interview With a Vampire” and more recently the movie “Ray,” starring Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx.

Along with raising money for the site, the festival also helps shine a spotlight on Laurel Valley Plantation.

Following Hurricane Katrina, tourism took a hit.

But Leslie said he’s finally noticing things picking up again.

“We are seeing a few more people coming to the area,” he said. “It’s interesting because we haven’t done much advertising. So I’d have to say it’s getting better.”

The National Weather Service is calling for highs in low 80s with a small chance of rain expected.

Leslie said there would not be a yard sale this year.

“We didn’t do to well with it last time around so my volunteers decided to not have it,” he said.

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